Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Psalms, Chapter 137תהלים 137

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Psalms 137 (9 verses in the MT) opens: By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. The middle of the chapter continues: If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget . It closes: Happy , that taketh and dasheth your little ones against the stones.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. Psalms 137 comprises 9 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remem. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us mirth, , Sing us of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing YHWH's song in a strange land? Movement II (vv. 5-8) — If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget. If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget . If I do not remember you, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. Remember, O YHWH, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase , rase to the foundation thereof. O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed; happy , that rewardeth. Movement III (vv. 9) — Happy , that taketh and dasheth your little ones against the stones. Happy , that taketh and dasheth your little ones against the stones. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

עַ֥ל נַהֲר֨וֹת בָּבֶ֗ל שָׁ֣ם יָ֭שַׁבְנוּ גַּם בָּכִ֑ינוּ בְּ֝זָכְרֵ֗נוּ אֶת צִיּֽוֹן

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'we lived'. Opens the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
עַ֥לonprep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on'.
נַהֲר֨וֹתthe riverN c · נָהָר (H5104)Construct chain (genitival)נָהָר (H5104) 'the river'.
בָּבֶ֗לBabelN · בָּבֶל (H894)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)בָּבֶל (H894) 'Babel'.
שָׁ֣םthereart · שָׁם (H8033)Particle or relational elementשָׁם (H8033) 'there'.
יָ֭שַׁבְנוּwe livedQal perf 1cp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actיָשַׁב (H3427) 'we lived'.
גַּםalsoparticle · גַּם (H1571)Particle or relational elementגַּם (H1571) 'also'.
בָּכִ֑ינוּand they weptQal perf 1cp · בָּכָה (H1058)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actבָּכָה (H1058) 'and they wept'.
בְּ֝זָכְרֵ֗נוּand you shall rememberprep + Qal inf constr + sfx 1cp · זָכַר (H2142)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementזָכַר (H2142) 'and you shall remember'.
אֶת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
צִיּֽוֹןZionN · צִיּוֹן (H6726)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)צִיּוֹן (H6726) 'Zion'.
2

עַֽל עֲרָבִ֥ים בְּתוֹכָ֑הּ תָּ֝לִ֗ינוּ כִּנֹּרוֹתֵֽינוּ

We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'he hanged'.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
עַֽלonprep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on'.
עֲרָבִ֥יםand willows ofN c · עֲרָבָה (H6155)Construct chain (genitival)עֲרָבָה (H6155) 'and willows of'.
בְּתוֹכָ֑הּin its midstprep + N com m sg constr + sfx 3fs · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'in its midst'.
תָּ֝לִ֗ינוּhe hangedQal perf 1cp · תָּלָה (H8518)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actתָּלָה (H8518) 'he hanged'.
כִּנֹּרוֹתֵֽינוּand with lyreN c · כִּנּוֹר (H3658)Construct chain (genitival)כִּנּוֹר (H3658) 'and with lyre'.
3

כִּ֤י שָׁ֨ם שְֽׁאֵל֪וּנוּ שׁוֹבֵ֡ינוּ דִּבְרֵי שִׁ֭יר וְתוֹלָלֵ֣ינוּ שִׂמְחָ֑ה שִׁ֥ירוּ לָ֝֗נוּ מִשִּׁ֥יר צִיּֽוֹן

For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us mirth, , Sing us of the songs of Zion.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationwə
kî-clause (causal, recitative, or evidential). Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'ask'.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
כִּ֤יforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
שָׁ֨םthereart · שָׁם (H8033)Particle or relational elementשָׁם (H8033) 'there'.
שְֽׁאֵל֪וּנוּaskQal perf 3cp + sfx 1cp · שָׁאַל (H7592)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actשָׁאַל (H7592) 'ask'.
שׁוֹבֵ֡ינוּand you take captiveQal ptc mp + sfx 1cp · שָׁבָה (H7617)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorשָׁבָה (H7617) 'and you take captive'.
דִּבְרֵיthe words ofN c · דָּבָר (H1697)Construct chain (genitival)דָּבָר (H1697) 'the words of'.
שִׁ֭ירa songN c · שִׁירָה (H7892)Construct chain (genitival)שִׁירָה (H7892) 'a song'.
וְתוֹלָלֵ֣ינוּandconj וְ + N com m pl constr + sfx 1cp · תּוֹלָל (H8437)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)תּוֹלָל (H8437) 'and'.
שִׂמְחָ֑הwith joyN c · שִׂמְחָה (H8057)Construct chain (genitival)שִׂמְחָה (H8057) 'with joy'.
שִׁ֥ירוּ'SingQal impv 2mp · שִׁיר (H7891)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeשִׁיר (H7891) ''Sing'.
לָ֝֗נוּto usprep + sfx 1cpParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'to us'.
מִשִּׁ֥ירthe songprep + N com c sg constr · שִׁירָה (H7892)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שִׁירָה (H7892) 'the song'.
צִיּֽוֹןZionN · צִיּוֹן (H6726)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)צִיּוֹן (H6726) 'Zion'.
4

אֵ֗יךְ נָשִׁ֥יר אֶת שִׁיר יְהוָ֑ה עַ֝֗ל אַדְמַ֥ת נֵכָֽר

How shall we sing YHWH's song in a strange land?

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'I will sing'.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
אֵ֗יךְhowinterrog. · אֵיכָה (H349)Particle or relational elementאֵיכָה (H349) 'how'.
נָשִׁ֥ירI will singQal impf 1cp · שִׁיר (H7891)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשִׁיר (H7891) 'I will sing'.
אֶת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
שִׁירa songN c · שִׁירָה (H7892)Construct chain (genitival)שִׁירָה (H7892) 'a song'.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
עַ֝֗לonprep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on'.
אַדְמַ֥תthe land ofN c · אֲדָמָה (H127)Construct chain (genitival)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'the land of'.
נֵכָֽרforeignN c · נֵכָר (H5236)Construct chain (genitival)נֵכָר (H5236) 'foreign'.
5

אִֽם אֶשְׁכָּחֵ֥ךְ יְֽרוּשָׁלִָ֗ם תִּשְׁכַּ֥ח יְמִינִֽי

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget .

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedʼim
Conditional ʼim. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'you forget'.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
אִֽםifconj וְ · אִם (H518)Particle or relational elementאִם (H518) 'if'.
אֶשְׁכָּחֵ֥ךְyou forgetQal impf 1cs + sfx 2fs · שָׁכַח (H7911)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁכַח (H7911) 'you forget'.
יְֽרוּשָׁלִָ֗םJerusalemN · יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389) 'Jerusalem'.
תִּשְׁכַּ֥חyou forgetQal impf 3fs · שָׁכַח (H7911)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁכַח (H7911) 'you forget'.
יְמִינִֽיthe rightN c · יָמִין (H3225)Construct chain (genitival)יָמִין (H3225) 'the right'.
6

תִּדְבַּ֥ק לְשׁוֹנִ֨י לְחִכִּי֮ אִם לֹ֪א אֶ֫זְכְּרֵ֥כִי אִם לֹ֣א אַ֭עֲלֶה אֶת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֑ם עַ֝֗ל רֹ֣אשׁ שִׂמְחָתִֽי

If I do not remember you, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'you shall cling'.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
תִּדְבַּ֥קyou shall clingQal impf 3fs · דָּבַק (H1692)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalדָּבַק (H1692) 'you shall cling'.
לְשׁוֹנִ֨יby their languagesN c · לָשׁוֹן (H3956)Construct chain (genitival)לָשׁוֹן (H3956) 'by their languages'.
לְחִכִּי֮(roof of the) mouthprep + N com m sg constr + sfx 1cs · חֵךְ (H2441)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)חֵךְ (H2441) '(roof of the) mouth'.
אִםifconj וְ · אִם (H518)Particle or relational elementאִם (H518) 'if'.
לֹ֪אnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
אֶ֫זְכְּרֵ֥כִיand you shall rememberQal impf 1cs + sfx 2fs · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalזָכַר (H2142) 'and you shall remember'.
אִםifconj וְ · אִם (H518)Particle or relational elementאִם (H518) 'if'.
לֹ֣אnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
אַ֭עֲלֶהI will go upHiphil impf 1cs · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalעָלָה (H5927) 'I will go up'.
אֶת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֑םJerusalemN · יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389) 'Jerusalem'.
עַ֝֗לonprep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on'.
רֹ֣אשׁthe head ofN c · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Construct chain (genitival)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'the head of'.
שִׂמְחָתִֽיwith joyN c · שִׂמְחָה (H8057)Construct chain (genitival)שִׂמְחָה (H8057) 'with joy'.
7

זְכֹ֤ר יְהוָ֨ה לִבְנֵ֬י אֱד֗וֹם אֵת֮ י֤וֹם יְֽרוּשָׁ֫לִָ֥ם הָ֭אֹ֣מְרִים עָ֤רוּ עָ֑רוּ עַ֝֗ד הַיְס֥וֹד בָּֽהּ

Remember, O YHWH, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase , rase to the foundation thereof.

Imperative — volitional addressasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Imperative — volitional address. Lead predicate is 'Remember'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
זְכֹ֤רRememberQal impv 2ms · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeזָכַר (H2142) 'Remember'.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
לִבְנֵ֬יof the sons ofprep + N com m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)בֵּן (H1121) 'of the sons of'.
אֱד֗וֹםEdomN · אֱדוֹם (H123)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֱדוֹם (H123) 'Edom'.
אֵת֮(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
י֤וֹםdayN c · יוֹם (H3117)Construct chain (genitival)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'.
יְֽרוּשָׁ֫לִָ֥םJerusalemN · יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389) 'Jerusalem'.
הָ֭אֹ֣מְרִיםand he saidart + Qal ptc mp · אָמַר (H559)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorאָמַר (H559) 'and he said'.
עָ֤רוּhe has laid barePiel impv 2mp · עָרָה (H6168)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeעָרָה (H6168) 'he has laid bare'.
עָ֑רוּhe has laid barePiel impv 2mp · עָרָה (H6168)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeעָרָה (H6168) 'he has laid bare'.
עַ֝֗דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Particle or relational elementעַד (H5704) 'until'.
הַיְס֥וֹדthe base ofart + N com m sg abs · יְסוֹד (H3247)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְסוֹד (H3247) 'the base of'.
בָּֽהּin itprep + sfx 3fsParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'in it'.
8

בַּת בָּבֶ֗ל הַשְּׁד֫וּדָ֥ה אַשְׁרֵ֥י שֶׁיְשַׁלֶּם לָ֑ךְ אֶת גְּ֝מוּלֵ֗ךְ שֶׁגָּמַ֥לְתְּ לָֽנוּ

O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed; happy , that rewardeth you as you have served us.

Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actorasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actor. Lead predicate is 'ruined'.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
בַּתdaughter ofN c · בַּת (H1323)Construct chain (genitival)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter of'.
בָּבֶ֗לBabelN · בָּבֶל (H894)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)בָּבֶל (H894) 'Babel'.
הַשְּׁד֫וּדָ֥הruinedart + Qal ptc fs · שָׁדַד (H7703)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorשָׁדַד (H7703) 'ruined'.
אַשְׁרֵ֥יhappy are youN c · אֶשֶׁר (H835)Construct chain (genitival)אֶשֶׁר (H835) 'happy are you'.
שֶׁיְשַׁלֶּםhe shall payrel. שֶׁ + Piel impf 3ms · שָׁלַם (H7999)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalשָׁלַם (H7999) 'he shall pay'.
לָ֑ךְto youprep + sfx 2fsParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'to you'.
אֶת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
גְּ֝מוּלֵ֗ךְas / likeN c · גְּמוּל (H1576)Construct chain (genitival)גְּמוּל (H1576) 'as / like'.
שֶׁגָּמַ֥לְתְּdo you repayrel. שֶׁ + Qal perf 2fs · גָּמַל (H1580)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actגָּמַל (H1580) 'do you repay'.
לָֽנוּto usprep + sfx 1cpParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'to us'.
9

אַשְׁרֵ֤י שֶׁיֹּאחֵ֓ז וְנִפֵּ֬ץ אֶֽת עֹ֝לָלַ֗יִךְ אֶל הַסָּֽלַע

Happy , that taketh and dasheth your little ones against the stones.

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'and they took hold'. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
אַשְׁרֵ֤יhappy are youN c · אֶשֶׁר (H835)Construct chain (genitival)אֶשֶׁר (H835) 'happy are you'.
שֶׁיֹּאחֵ֓זand they took holdrel. שֶׁ + Qal impf 3ms · אָחַז (H270)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalאָחַז (H270) 'and they took hold'.
וְנִפֵּ֬ץwas spread abroadconj וְ + Piel q 3ms · נָפַץ (H5310)Particle or relational elementנָפַץ (H5310) 'was spread abroad'.
אֶֽת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
עֹ֝לָלַ֗יִךְfromN c · עוֹלֵל (H5768)Construct chain (genitival)עוֹלֵל (H5768) 'from'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to'.
הַסָּֽלַעthe rockart + N com m sg abs · סֶלַע (H5553)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)סֶלַע (H5553) 'the rock'.